Smart to sign extension to remain at VCU

Shaka Smart and VCU have agreed in principle to a deal to keep the coach at the school.

Athletic director Ed McLaughlin says the details are still being finalized, but the majority of changes involve “program enhancements for the student-athletes and coaches.” McLaughlin says it also extends a contract already scheduled to run through 2020.

Smart’s record is 111-37 in four years, the sixth-most wins in the country over that stretch.

Since guiding VCU to the Final Four in 2011, Smart’s name has been among the first mentioned whenever a high profile job comes open.

With openings at places such as UCLA, Southern Cal and Minnesota, McLaughlin says VCU wanted to give him a new deal to be proactive in the face of certain interest from elsewhere.